NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- One man was arrested this week after authorities seized over 26 pounds of cocaine and more that three million dollars in cash from an apartment in the Bronx.
The narcotics and money were concealed inside several pieces of furniture
outfitted with hidden trap compartments.
Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York
Juan Rondon was arrested at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, following a two-month investigation by authorities. Rondon, who was previously deported in 2006, was charged with operating as a major trafficker and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
On the day of his arrest, investigators and agents were conducting surveillance outside of 3405 Gates Pl. in Norwood when they allegedly observed Rondon enter the building carrying a bag and then exit with the same bag a short time later.
Rondon later returned to the building empty handed.
At approximately 4:40 p.m., investigators and agents observed Rondon leave an apartment at 3405 Gates Ave. for a second time and stopped him in the lobby where he was allegedly in possession of a quantity of cocaine and the keys to an apartment.
Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the apartment with assistance from a New York State Police K9 Unit and discovered several pieces of furniture were outfitted with secret trap compartments.
Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York
Dressers, nightstands, and a coffee table contained large hidden compartments stuffed with bags of cash. Money was also found wrapped in bundles and labeled with dates spanning over the past several years.
The coffee table allegedly contained approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and some of the cash. At least 10 luxury watches, including those made by Rolex and Cartier, were recovered from a hidden trap in a nightstand. Officials also noted that despite the large amounts of money, narcotics, and jewelry present, the apartment appeared to lack security equipment or fortifications.
Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York
The results of DEA laboratory analysis on the seized narcotics are pending.
"This investigation shows how lucrative the cocaine trafficking business can be. Over a span of years, an accused major trafficker apparently squirreled away more than $3 million, filling secret compartments inside furniture to the brim with bundles of cash wrapped together in rubber bands, expensive watches, and kilograms of cocaine," Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said. "An absence of special security equipment or fortified locks on the nondescript apartment suggests misguided confidence."
